251. The reason why the “serpent” means all evil in general, and specifically the love of self, is that all evil has had its rise from that sensuous part of the mind, and also from that memory-knowledge [scientifico], which at first were signified by the “serpent;” and therefore it here denotes evil of every kind, and specifically the love of self, or hatred against the neighbor and the Lord, which is the same thing. As this evil or hatred was various, consisting of numerous genera and still more numerous species, it is described in the Word by various kinds of serpents, as “snakes” “cockatrices” “asps” “adders” “fiery serpents” “serpents that fly” and “that creep” and “vipers” according to the differences of the poison, which is hatred. Thus we read in Isaiah:

Rejoice not thou, whole Philistia, because the rod which smiteth thee is broken, for out of the serpent’s root shall go forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a flying fire-serpent (Isaiah 14:29).The “serpent’s root” denotes that part of the mind, or that principle, which is connected with the senses and with memory-knowledge [est sensuale et scientificum]; the “cockatrice” denotes evil originating in the falsity thence derived; and the “flying fire-serpent” the cupidity that comes from the love of self. By the same Prophet also similar things are elsewhere thus described:

They hatch cockatrice’s eggs, and weave the spider’s web; he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and when it is crushed there cometh out a viper (Isaiah 59:5).

The serpent described here in Genesis is called in the Revelation the “great and red dragon” and the “old serpent” and also the “devil and satan” that “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:3, 9; 20:2), where, and also in other places, by the “devil” is not meant any particular devil who is prince over the others, but the whole crew of evil spirits, and evil itself.

713. And there was seen another sign in heaven.- That this signifies Divine revelation concerning attack upon the doctrine which is for the new church, and by whom, is evident from the signification of a great sign, as denoting Divine revelation, manifestation, and testification (concerning which see above, n. 706). That it is concerning attack upon the doctrine which is for the new church, and by whom, is evident from the verses that follow in which this sign is described. Those who will attack this doctrine are meant by the great red dragon, the serpent of old, while the attack itself is described by the words, "the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bring forth, that he might devour her child," and afterwards by the combat of the dragon with Michael, and lastly, by his pursuing the woman into the wilderness, and there casting out water after her like a river; and further in the verses that follow. But who those are that are meant by the dragon will be explained in the following article; here we shall merely state that they are those who have communication with the angels of heaven, by means of external things only, but not by means of internal things, for it is said that that dragon was seen in heaven; and those who have no communication with heaven cannot be seen there, for they are in hell. Such are those who deny God, especially the Lord, make no account of the Word, blaspheme it, and do not believe in eternal life; in a word, they are all such as love themselves and the world above all things, and live a life of enmity, hatred, revenge, and deceit, and find delight in these. These things have been said in order that it may be known that such as these are not meant by the dragon, but those who, during their abode in the world, have an external communication with heaven. This communication they have from the reading of the Word, from preaching therefrom, and from external worship according to the rites of their church, but they are, nevertheless, not in a life according to the Lord's commandments; this is the reason why such have indeed communication with heaven, but not internal communication. Why these are called "the devil and Satan" will also be explained in what follows.